180 OF THE MISSISSIPPI, 



the encrcase, and can only be attributed to the operation of 

 the current, taking up every moveable matter along our coast, 

 and depositing it in every bay or creek in contact with the cir- 

 cumference of the vortex: there are no alluvial rivers flowing 

 into the bay of Campechy; but the Rio del Norte, and one or 

 two others of less note, contribute no doubt to the production 

 of this effect, by throwing their mite into the ocean. 



Pursuing our parallel of the two rivers, we shall find that the 

 Mississippi as well as tbe Nile, proceeds to the ocean by two 

 permanent branches, that to the west breaks off, about two or 

 three miles below the Red River, and bears the Indian name of 

 Chafalaya, or river of the Apelousas: there is every appearance 

 that this branch may have anciently been a continuation of the 

 great Red river; the quantity of water delivered by the one and 

 received by the other being nearly equal, and the general ap- 

 pearance of the banks and common breadth of the channels 

 being very similar. The Chafalaya is dangerous for boats under 

 the conduct of unskilful pilots descending the Mississippi; the 

 velocity of the stream passing laterally out of the Mississippi, oc- 

 casions an attraction (if the term may be admissible) of all float- 

 ing bodies at a considerable distance from the shore; if the un- 

 wary or ignorant voyager falls within the sphere of this attraction, 

 and his boat be not sufficiently manned to enable him to escape, 

 by taking an oblique course out of this unexpected suction, he 

 is precipitated into the western branch ; heavy boats connot re- 

 gain the Mississippi; the lightest must be well manned to stem 

 the extreme rapidity of the current; the perpetual rising of the 

 bank and bed of the great river from the influence of the inun- 

 dation, is probably the cause of so precipitate a descent into the 

 smaller river. The Chafalaya was formerly, but is not now na- 

 vigable into the country of the Apelousas and Alacapas; the 

 inconceivable quantity of drift timber which went down, had 

 formed many islands, which so contracted the different chan- 

 nels, that at length they have been entirely shut up, (not to the 

 passage of water, but) to the passage of every kind of craft; 

 there is said to be at this time a floating bridge upon the Chafa- 

 laya, ten leagues along the course of the river, and continually 

 accumulating by the cause which produced it : some parts of it 



